Lighting fixture



Sept 18, 1928.- 1,684,416 E. o. SCHWEITZER LIGHTING FIXTURE Filed Feb. 18, 1921 Patented Sept. 18, 1928.

FATEN FFICE.

EDMUND 0. 'sonwnirznn, or cnroeeo, iLLrnoIs.

LIGHTING FIXTURE.

Application filed February 18, 1921.

My invention relates to electric fixtures, and particularly relates to means for converting the ordinary lighting fixtures from direct to indirect lighting.

The advent of the high-powered, high-intensity lamp marks a revolution in the lighting industry. \Vhen the metallic filament lamp was developed, it became possible to secure much greater output from a single bulb, so much so that where several lamps were previously used, one lamp amply serves the purpose. The high-powered lamp, however, was not an unmixed blessing. To secure the greater candle power, a greater brilliancy of the filament was employed. This greater brilliancy is very trying on the eyes, if the lamp falls within the direct range of vision. In addition, the direct light from a high intensity lamp of this character is harsh and produces sharp shadows and contrasts. As a resu t, the trend of development has been toward a diffusion of this light by masking the light from direct vision, and either diffracting the light by passage through semi-transparent shades, or by causing the light to strike a reflecting and diffusing surface to lower the intensity and to give the effect of a greater effective source of light propagation. By this means the light is softened and more pleasing effects are secured.

The means for securing indirect lighting have been developed by providing new forms of fixtures, which may be installed either when buildings are erected, or may be installed by taking out the previously provided direct fixtures, and substituting completely different fixtures. This latter course is not often resorted to, because of the expense incident to throwing away the old fixtures, buying new ones, and paying modern union wages to have the new fixtures installed. As a consequence, the situation now presents an enormous number of old direct lighting fixtures which are unsatisfactory, but which cannot be discarded or changed because of the expense of making such a change.

I have observed that there is a great demand for an inexpensive device which could be employed for changing a direct lighting fixture into an indirect fixture.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive device, preferably in the nature of an attachment, which may be employed to convert a direct light- Serial No, 446,199.

ing fixture into an indirect lighting fixture. I provide an upper attaching member for mounting the fixture, preferably, though not necessarily, in the form of an Edison plug of standard form, and from this attaching memher I suspend a socket. This socket provides a support for the lamp, and also forms a mounting for an arm carrying an inverted shade which transmits a part of the light therethrough, and which throws the major portion of the light upwardly towards the ceiling. I provide an additional shade in the nature of a masking or diffusing shade about the inverted shade to give a further softening or diffusing effect.

The present application relates to subjectmatter similar to that of the prior applications, Serial No. 2%,721 filed May 5, 1919, and Serial No. 4i()9,19.3, filed September 9, 1920.

In order to acquaint those skilled in the art with the manner of constructing and using my invention, I shall now describe an embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevational view with parts in section, showing the shade supporting arm suspended upon a plug" and socket fitting;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the plug and socket member shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the lower end of the arm and the shade supporting member.

I have illustrated a form of attachment for mounting an inverted shade or bowl 18, and a masking shade 19 upon the usual outlet. This device comprises a plug and socket member 58 having the upper Edison type of plug 59, and asimilar socket member 60, all formed in the same body, with a suspending arm 61 pivoted at 62 to the sides of said plug and socket member 58. The socket portion is adapted to receive the usual metallic filament lamp 23 (any type of lamp may be used), and the arm 61 extends down below the lamp and provides a support for the inverted bowl or shade 18. The arm 61 is formed as shown in Figures 2 and 3 of two strips of flat metal fastened together throughout the greater portion of the length of the arm and diverging to form a fork having the arms 63 and 64 for pivoting to the combined plug and socket member 58. At the lower ends of this arm 61, the two strips are flattened out and secured as by riveting, soldering or otherwise to a plate 65.

Below the plate? 65 is mounted a plate 66, and between the rims of these two plates or disks 65, 66, is gripped the bead or edge 67 of the bowl or'shade' 18: These two" disks are connected together centrally. byan ornamental bolt 68.

From the foregoing, it wi-llbeseen that-I have provided an inexpensive but effective attachment for changing the old; direct;

lighting fixtures into modernized indirect lighting fixtures ataminimum' of cost and diflieulty.

I do not intend to limit the. invention to the precise details illustrated and described.

Ielaim: 1-. In combination, a combined plugqandsocket member, a supporting, arm depending from said member and arched outwardly away from the same, said armk being. pivoted atits upper endto the plug: andnsock'et mem her at diametrically opposite pointsthereof and the lower end ofitho arm being aligned V With-the plug and sockeumember, and at shade ingwawfork at its upper endstraddling saida member: and; the arms of the fork being pivoted to the plug and' socket member at diametrically" opposite points thereof, the lower endof the arm being di-sposed in substantial alignment'with said member, and a shadesu'pported by the lower endof the arm anduex tendingupwardly about the sameand inacono'entric relation to the plug and socket- 40 member;

In Witness \vhereof,-;I hereunto subscribe" myname this 14th day of February, 1921 EDMUND O. SGHWEITZER. 

